Apple sells 3m iPad minis and fourth-generation iPads in first weekend

5 Nov 2012

Apple has confirmed that 3m of its 7.9-inch iPad minis and versions of its fourth-generation 9.7-inch iPad tablet computers were sold in the first three days since it launched on Friday.

This is double the milestone of 1.5m Wi-Fi only models of the third-generation iPad which were sold in the first weekend when it debuted in March. Last week, it emerged that white versions of the new iPad mini sold out during their first day of pre-orders.

Apple also pointed out that cellular + Wi-Fi versions of both the iPad mini and the fourth-generation iPad will ship in a few weeks.

“Customers around the world love the new iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.

“We set a new launch weekend record and practically sold out of iPad minis. We’re working hard to build more quickly to meet the incredible demand.”

The new iPad mini, which works with all existing iPad apps, is 53pc lighter and and 23pc thinner than the iPad launched in March. It weighs just 0.68lbs and is as light as a pad of paper. It is also just 7.2mm thick – thinner than a pencil.

The new iPad mini comes with an Apple A5 dual-core chip, a 780p HD FaceTime camera at the front and a 5-megapixel iSight camera at the back capable of capturing video in 1080p high definition.

The fourth-generation iPad features Retina display, a new Apple-designed A6X chip, FaceTime HD camera and enhanced LTE performance.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com